CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24985, 20 September 1946, Page 10

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR “THE SEVENTH VEIL” The story of “The Seventh Veil,” the outstanding British dramatic film which will commence its sixth week at the Mayfair Theatre, has a curious origin. It is the combined work of Sydney and Muriel Box, who have a number of film scripts to their credit. During the war Mr Box made a short film dealing with psychiatric treatment of battle casualties. In seeking material for this picture among the many stories he heard from mental sufferers, he found that he had uncovered a rich mine of drama in the human mind. Applying much of what he had found to the story of a girl with a great gift for music, who is in the grip of a strange mental malady, he quickly outlined the story of the film and together with his wife developed a significant piece of screen entertainment. The film stars Ann Todd and James Mason Rich in nftisical content, it features the London Symphony Orchestra. PLAZA “GOD IS MY CO-PILOT” “God is My Co-Pilot,” the autobiography of Colonel Robert Lee Scott, jun.. on which the Warner Bros.’ film is based, is his personal story, told in the words of a fighting man. The film, which continues its season at the Plaza Theatre, brings to the screen a dramatic story of courage, and of a boy’s desire to fly. Scott’s education in flying included t]he dangerous post-graduate work of “taking over” during a bitter winter in 1934. when many Army pilots died, in learning to fly the mails. He tells of other ordeals, including his operations against the Japanese over China. The film stars Dennis Morgan in the role of Scott, pilot of a Curtiss P-40, and features Raymond Massey, Dane Clark, Andrea King, and Alan Hale in the supporting roles. MAJESTIC “PERFECT STRANGERS” In “Perfect Strangers,” which continues its season to-day at the Majestic Theatre, Robert Donat makes a welcome return to the screen after a long absence. From his performance in this film it is evident that he has lost none of his brilliant acting abilities. He and Deborah Kerr play the parts of a couple leading a simple, perhaps humdrum life, before the outbreak of the war. Donat is a London clerk, doing the same things every day, mildly and inoffensively. Deborah Kerr is the nousewife. But the war brings big changes in their way of life He joins the Navy, and she joins the Wrens. After many adventures, he arrives in a hospital in Tunis, where he is tended oy a charming English nurse. While he is away, his wife falls in love with another man. and is determined to get a divorce from the mild little clerk she had married. But when they meet again they find that they are perfect strangers. STATE “DRAGONWYCK” “Dragonwyck,” 20th Century-Fox’s powerful film, which opens its season to-day at the State Theatre, tells the story of a girl whose eyes and heart are opened to a new world of love and romance, only to find it filled with mystery and terror. Under Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s direction, the story is unfolded with intensity and dramatic impact. Gene Tierney’s handling of the role of Miranda is beautifully portrayed. Walter Huston is seen as Gene’s stern and stubborn father. Vincent Price’s protrayal of an aristocratic and despotic egomaniac is most convincing. Others appearing in the top-flight cast of the film include Jeff Turner, Anh Revere. Spring Byington Connie Marshall, and Henry Morgan, ine brooding mood and dramatic excitement are beautifully captured by * e Academy Award photographer. Arthur Miller.

CRYSTAL PALACE “CLUNY BROWN” Charles Boyer and Jennifer Jones are romantically teamed for the first time on the screen in Ernst Lubitsch’s production of “Cluny Brown,” the 20th Century-Fox film, which is the next attraction at the Crystal Palace. In addition to being the first picture Jo co ’ star Boyer with Jennifer Jones, Cluny Brown” is the first film since Heaven Can Wait” that Lubitsch has both produced and directed. The picture is based on Margery Sharp’s bestselling story of two unpredictable persons who. after a series of hilarious misadventures, finally come to the realisation that their troubles will be over if they can just be unpredictable together. Boyer is seen as a carefree refugee waiter and Jennifer Jones portrays “Cluny.” an uninhibited madca P- t-. p eter Lawford. Helen Walker, and Reginald Owen head an excellent supporting cast. “The Dark Corner” will complete its season at the theatre next Thursday. LIBERTY “TO-MORROW WE LIVE” “To-morrow We Live.” the G.B.D. nlm which opens its season to-day at the Liberty Theatre, tells in thrilling and entertaining fashion of the heroic stand made by the Fighting French against Nazi oppression in Occupied France. This film of the French patriots is based on authentic details supplied by one of the patriots who escaped to England. He had an exciting story to tell, and one that has been Portrayed m first-class manner in this British film. A strong cast is headed by John Clements, Greta Gynt, Hugh Sinclair, and Judy Kelly. The supporting feature is 20th Cen-tury-Fox s gav musical, “Doll Face” starring Vivian Blaine, Dennis O Keefe, Perry Como, and Carmen Miranda. Five new songs by the hit of Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson are featured in this entertaining film. ST. JAMES’ “SHADY LADY” Charles Coburn. Ginny Simms, and Robert Paige appear in Universal’s | Shady Lady,” which opens its season i to-day at the St. James’ Theatre. Hilarity, suspense, and romance are all present in the story, the locale of which is Chicago, where Coburn is the king of card-sharps in the night-club area.. Ginnv Simms take the part of an entertainer. Her boss, a notorious i cabaret proprietor, is being trapped 1 by an aggressive young prosecuting i attorney’s deputy. The deputy is ‘ played by Robert Paige. In the inrigue which follows Coburn becomes :he key figure in a desperate situation. Several song hits are featured. “Song of the Sarong,” a South Seas sland thriller, is the supporting feature. In the main roles are Nancy I ■telly and William Gargan.

CENTURY “UNCLE HARRY” A disquieting bond of affection between a brother and sister is the basis of the absorbing plot in Universal’s “Uncle Harry,” which is the current feature at the Century Theatre. George Sanders, starred with Geraldine Fitzgerald and Ella Raines, gives an excellent performance as the brother Harry. Miss Fitzgerald is equally forceful m the difficult role of the sister, whose adoration becomes an. obsession. Miss Raines also gives a notably good portrayal. EMPIRE “BOWERY TO BROADWAY” Covering a generation of New York’s theatre history. Universal’s “Bowery to Broadway,” which is one of the current features at the Empire Theatre, is a melodious and human story of show business people from the 1890’s to the early 1930’5. The picture has a strong cast, with Maria Montez, Susanna Foster, Jack Oakie, and Turhan Bey m the starring roles. They are supported by Louise Allbritton. Ann Blyth, Donald Cook, Leo* Carrillo, Frank McHugh. Andy Devine, Evelyn Ankers. Donald O’Connor, and Peggy Ryan. The supporting feaure is “Tahiti Nights.” a breezy musical, with Jinx Falkenburg and Dave O’Brien in the leading roles.